How to Get a Marriage License in West Virginia
West Virginia marriage license at a glance
- License fee
- $57 ($17 with a premarital education course) — County Clerk
- Waiting period
- none
- Minimum age
- 18 without consent
- Blood test
- no
Confirm the fee before you go. The marriage-license fee in this state is set by the county and varies, so the figure above is a representative range — check the exact, current fee on the issuing county clerk's own fee schedule. This page is informational only and is not legal advice.
This row is flagged for re-verification on publish (county-set fee and/or a statute section still being pinned).
In West Virginia, couples seeking a marriage license apply directly at the County Clerk's office in the county where they intend to marry. The standard fee is $57, though it reduces to $17 for applicants who complete a premarital education course. No waiting period applies, and the issued license remains valid for 60 days. Applicants must present a government-issued photo ID, a certified birth certificate, and a Social Security number; West Virginia imposes no residency requirement.
Eligibility is set by the state's marriage statute. Applicants must be at least 18 years old to marry without consent. Those aged 16 or 17 may marry with documented parental consent and approval from the family court; individuals under 16 are not permitted to marry. No blood test or witnesses are required. Because marriage license fees are set at the county level and regulations may change, prospective applicants should confirm the current fee and all eligibility rules on the County Clerk's official website or by contacting the clerk's office directly before applying.
What a marriage license actually is
A marriage license is the government document that authorizes your marriage; you apply for it before the ceremony, and once it’s signed and returned it becomes your marriage record. The fee, waiting period and ID rules below are what each state and county sets — always confirm the exact current amount with the issuing clerk.
| Requirement | West Virginia |
|---|---|
| License fee | $57 ($17 with a premarital education course) — County Clerk |
| Fee set by | County (varies by county) |
| Waiting period | none |
| License validity | 60 days |
| ID required | government photo ID; certified birth certificate; SSN |
| Residency required | no |
| Minimum age | 18 without consent; 16-17 with parental consent AND family-court approval; under 16 not permitted |
| Blood test | no |
| Witnesses | no witnesses required |
| Online option | no statewide online option; apply at the County Clerk |
| Where to apply | County Clerk (county-administered) |
| Governing law | Set by state statute — refer to your state’s official statutes and the issuing County Clerk for the governing rule |
Full West Virginia requirements → · Fees & waiting → · How to apply → · Look up another state →
Compiled from public-record West Virginia marriage law and the issuing agency, verified June 2026. Primary source → · How we compile this. Informational only — not legal advice.